Sigh*
Why not help beginners spend their money wisely? You know what? After someone gets a good sounding kit, and can play the drums "well" go ahead, get cowbells, more Tom's, more random crap for your kit if you Desire, have some freaking fun with the immense world of percussion.
I do help beginners spent their money wisely.
I have over 4000 posts on this forum alone of advising drummers.
I spent 8 years working drum retail advising beginners.
I've helped countless beginners get off to a good start.
But if someone is taking lessons already, who am I to tell them what to buy?
Why judge their musical interests?
For God's sake, you cant tell me right now that it doesn't sadden you a bit when you see a beginning drummer with tons of crap, and you know he could have invested his money much more wisely, yet, instead of just helping beginners get their moneys worth, you're over here saying,"Op is a judgemental poopie head that doesn't like beginners who have cowbells!"
Context. Is said person taking lessons? If so, then does it matter?
Why is it sad?
If someone thinks buying a new piece of gear will make them a better drummer, then yes, you are 100% correct. New/different gear generally does not make someone better.
But if they are already taking lessons, own some good books, and have some instruction material, then how does buying a new piece of gear a waste?
Context is key.
One of better drum performances I've ever seen was a guy who was playing drums that looked like he found them in the dumpster. Does that mean I should tell everyone look for drums in the dumpster? No, gear doesn't make the drummer.
I used to have two students, they were the same age, started at the same time, had the same hair cut, and were dang near identical (but not related). If I showed them a new beat, kid #1 would pick it up in 5 minutes and be ready for the next one. Kid #2 would take 3 weeks to get a new beat down.
So after 3 months, both of them had only been playing three months. Both, still beginners. One was much better than the other one. DO I give them the same advice if they asked about a purchase? No, different context.
(FYI kid #1 stopped drumming, kid #2 went on to play drums in numerous bands).
You said "But now looking backing on it, I realized I would have been much happier if I had invested that money in something that would actually help me improve"
And Ok, but what is that? Lessons? OK, I'll agree. And instruction DVD? OK, I'll agree.
But you didn't say that in the OP.
And cowbell, come on, context. 600 million Latino's might disagree that cowbell is a waste. Latin music is a key part of their culture for some people. A point blank assertion that a cowbell is a waste doesn't apply to everyone or people in every country (and this is an international forum).
Sigh*
Your elaborating on something that doesn't need to elaborated on,
I don't think so. This forum is full of people who's parents didn't support their desire to become drummers. I've met countless people at gigs who said "I wanted to be a drummer, but my parents wouldn't let me..."
But here is the real question:
So at the time you went to purchase your cowbell, if a random person told you not to, would you have listened?
I bought my cowbell when I was still a relative beginner. Someone
did try to talk me out of it. But, I bought it anyway. Did I really need it at the time? No, not at all. Do I regret it? Not all at. I still own it 20 years later.